Thomas elcoate



' (No Model.)

. T. ELGOATE CAN OPENING DEVICE.

Patented Apr. 2.1889.

- IjNejFur:

. I, W/QQ/ N, PETERS. Pmummn her. Washington 05c UNiTno STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS ELCOATE, OF NORTON, STOOKTON-ON-TEES, COUNTY OF DURHAM, ENGLAND.

CAN-OPENING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 400,760, dated April 2, 1889. Application filed February 6, 1889. Serial No. 298,863. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, THOMAS ELCOATE, a subject of the Queen of Great Britain, residing at Norton, Stockton-on-Tees, in the county of Durham, in the Kingdom of England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Cutting or Opening Tins or Cans and Temporarily Closing Mouths of Same, of which the following is a specification.

The invention has for its object a device for cutting or opening cans or cases containing preserved food or other goods, and which is applicable as a lid for temporarily covering the mouth of the can, so as to form a protective covering against dust, insects, &c. The ordinary cutting-tool hitherto generally used for opening cans of this description does not accomplish its work very satisfactorily, and it leaves a rough and uneven edge which does not present a pleasing appearance. It is found by this invention that the operation is accomplished much more satisfactorily and with greater precision.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan, and Fig. 2 an elevation, partly in section, of my improved device adaptedto open cans of uniform diameter. Fig. 3 is a plan, and Fig. 4: a sectional elevation, of the device as constructed for opening cans of different diameter or size.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, A represents a loose lid or cover, preferably of metal, of the same diameter approximately as the can A, so that it can be placed thereon.

B is a boss or collar soldered or otherwise attached to the cover A, and preferably drilled or otherwise machined, so that the spindle C may revolve freely therein.

Eis a radial arm attached to the spindle O on the under side of the cover A, having a knife or cutter, D, attached at the end thereof. The blade D is secured in any suitable mannerfor instance, by means of a slit or slot in the radial arm E, into which the blade or its shank is inserted, and then riveted, soldered, or otherwise secured in place. A crank-handle is attached to the top of the spindle C, so that it can be turned from the outside of the cover A.

WVhen it is desired to open a can or box,

the loose cover is placed on the top and pressed down until the cutter D touches or punctures the hermetically-sealed or other cover, I. The handle F is then rotated by one hand, while the can may be held by the other, until the top I of'the can is cut through and can be removed.

When the top I has been removed and the contents of the box or can are not being used, the device can be used to protect the contents, the cover A being placed over the mouth of the can, thus temporarily supplying the place of the top I and forming a protective covering against dust, insects, (to.

Although the cover A is shown circular on the drawings, it may of course be made of any other suitable shape to correspond with the shape of the box or can.

Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate the device constructed in such a way that it can be made to cut through the tops of tins or boxes of various sizes. In these, A is the cover, which is made of conical or tapering form, and has mounted in the top the bearing B. Thehandle F can be made in'one piece with the socket, or separately and secured thereto. G is a flange for preventing the socket rising in the bearing B. The knife D is carried on a short projecting arm, H, attached to a long (preferably square) rod, E, which passes through a slot in flange G and boss 0, where it may be held in place by a set-screw, E, mounted in a suitable bracket, such as F, on the top of handle F.

The action is as follows: The top of the can to be cut open is pushed up into the cone A,

the set-screw E being first loosed. When the can is as far up the cone as its diameter will allow, the knife is pushed or knocked through its top, and is held in that position by setscrew E. The can may now be cut open by rotating the handle F.

I declare that what I claim is- 1. The combination, with a loose cover for protecting the contents of a can after it has been opened, of the rotatable radial arm E, mounted centrally on the interior of said cover and provided with a downwardly-projecting cutter, D, adapted to pierce the top of the can when the loose cover is laid or pressed thereon, and a suitable crank-handle, F, on the exterior of the cover, adapted to rotate the arm E, whereby the top of the can may be removed or cut off by the rotation of said handle, substantially as set forth.

2. A can'opener having aloose shell or cover, A, with sloping or tapering sides adapted to receive the top of the can it is desired to open, and having a knife-carrying arm, E, mounted obliquely in a rotatable head orboss, O, on the interior of said cover A, and capable of being adjusted in a direction parallel to its sides, whereby the tops of sealed cans of different sizes may be removed or cut off, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

THOMAS ELCOATE.

itnesses:

EDWARD J. THOMAS,

Solicitor, rS'fioclczfon-orz-Tees. JNo. S. SHORT,

Hi5 clerk. 

